Suicide Intervention Resources

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) took place this week on Sept. 10th. Because of the many tragic deaths that result from suicide, we wanted to share the article below on resources to assist with suicide preventon, intervention and postvention. It comes from SAFER (Suicide Attempt Follow Up and Research). Suicide is the leading cause of injury related fatality in Canada. In 2009 alone, there were about 100,000 years of potential life lost to Canadians under the age of 75 as a result of suicides, and it is estimated that well over 3,000,000 Canadians have been impacted by suicide in some way.

Resources to Assist you with Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD). Communities across Canada will join to raise awareness for suicide prevention, support those bereaved by suicide, remember those lost to suicide, and renew our commitment to helping all Canadians who struggle reconnect with hope and positive possibility.

Suicide is the leading cause of injury related fatality in Canada. In 2009 alone, there were about 100,000 years of potential life lost to Canadians under the age of 75 as a result of suicides, and it is estimated that well over 3,000,000 Canadians have been impacted by suicide in some way. Among those aged 15 to 34, suicide was the second leading cause of death. In BC 530 people died by suicide 2010, 110 females and 420 males, with more than half of all these deaths occurring in those 49 years of age and under.

These are for the most part preventable deaths. And suicide prevention is a responsibility we all share. Reducing risk requires all of us to work together and support each other. Indeed there has been a positive and significant shift in national attention devoted to this important public health issue. In addition to a growing number of courageous testimonials on the impact of suicide on individuals, families and communities, this past year saw Parliament for the first time become actively engaged in a serious discussion of suicide prevention. A private member’s bill to establish a national framework on suicide prevention was introduced by the Hon. Harold Albrecht (Bill C300) and received overwhelming bi-partisan support. It is now being reviewed in the Senate and is expected to receive Royal Assent in the early fall. Work is also moving forward in establishing a National Collaborative on Suicide Prevention and a National Distress Line Network.

To mark WSPD this year SAFER (Suicide Attempt Follow-up Education and Research) Counselling Services would like to link you to some valuable resources, many of them new. We support the theme chosen by The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) for this year’s WSPD campaign – “All Together”. It is an invitation and challenge for every segment of society to become involved and work together to support suicide prevention at home, in the community, in the workplace and in every service organization. The materials below have been created by various organizations committed to assisting in this process. We hope you find them useful.

From CASP, in partnership with Klinic Community Health in Winnipeg (just click on title)